From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Subject: Releases.........pt3
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Presidents Secretariat
Speech by her Excellency the President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Inauguration of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM)2010
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate the International Congress of Mathematicians, which has a history of over a hundred years, in this beautiful city of Hyderabad. This Conference convened every four years, under the aegis of the International Mathematical Union, is an opportunity for Mathematicians from all over the world to discuss developments and advances in this discipline.
First of all, I would like to congratulate the Prize winners. I wish the young Fields Medallists and the Nevanlinna Prize Winner many more years of high mathematical achievement. Those who have been conferred the Gauss Prize and the Chern Prize deserve, apart from our congratulations, our deep appreciation for the service they have rendered to human progress through their profound mathematical work.
To be here, in the midst of outstanding mathematical scholars is an exhilarating experience. Though, I must confess that I am no mathematician, but belonging to a country that has a rich mathematical heritage, and where it has been accorded a primary position among intellectual pursuits, I feel proud that this Conference is being held here. India's engagement with mathematics goes back some three thousand years. An ancient Sanskrit verse states:
Which means:-
Like the crest of the peacock and the jewel of the serpent, Mathematics stands at the helm of all sciences.
Mathematics appears to have acquired an independent identity as an intellectual discipline early in human history. India has been at the forefront in contributing to innovations in arithmetic, algebra and geometry at different periods. The Pythagoras Theorem finds a place in Baudhayana Sulva Sutra, a work dating back to 8th Century BC. The concept of zero or shunya originated from India. Pierre-Simon La Place, a French mathematician said in the 19th Century that, "it is India that gave us the ingenious method of expressing all numbers by the means of ten symbols, each symbol receiving a value of position, as well as an absolute value; a profound and important idea." The contributions of Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta to the development of Algebra and Astronomy in the 6th and 7th Centuries are well recognised. In the 12th Century there was Bhaskaracharya. His work 'Leelavati' was the main source in medieval India for learning algebra and arithmetic. The book formulates mathematical problems in verse form addressed to Leelavati, Bhaskara's daughter. It was through scholars from the Middle East that renaissance Europe became acquainted with these Indian developments. However, until the last Century, the West seems to have been unaware of Madhava, a mathematician of the 15th Century who anticipated the essentials of Calculus. It is only in recent years that the work of the 'Kerala School' has attracted considerable attention from historians of mathematics.
After a somewhat dormant period of almost half a millennium, revival of mathematical activity in India was triggered by the advent of the extraordinary figure of Srinivasa Ramanujan in the early 20th Century. Ramanujan's achievements were a source of inspiration for succeeding generations. I hope that, in the midst of your busy schedule, you get an opportunity to see the play titled "A Disappearing Number", being staged during the course of this Conference. It has, I am informed, references to the relationship between Ramanujan and G.H. Hardy, his Cambridge Professor.
Ever since our independence, India has recognised the importance of science as a vehicle for human progress. Mathematics, the language of science and its advancement, is an integral part of India's science policy. Mathematics is a science, but nevertheless stands a little apart from other sciences. Yet, it is mathematical intervention that decisively confers the label 'science' to any intellectual discipline. Mathematics, hence, permeates all sciences. Mathematics has had a big role in the development of Computer Science and Information Technology. There are myriad applications of mathematics in technology; and the mathematics used there is reaching higher and higher levels of sophistication. It is hard, for example, to conceive of any aircraft, any robot, or any future technology to be produced without a high level of mathematical precision. In recent years, the influence of mathematics in other fields has also grown enormously. Economics and social sciences, once impervious to mathematics, are coming increasingly under its influence. The need for understanding mathematics is necessary in all walks of life - whether engineers or scientists, or those working in the world of industry, finance or social sciences. Its role in other human endeavours apart, we also recognise the profound cultural dimension that the study of mathematics has. There is an aesthetic component to its pursuit and it inculcates the habit of rational thought and promotes what our first visionary Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called "scientific temper". It is important that studies of mathematics are promoted amongst the young generation.
The International Mathematical Union, under whose auspices, the Mathematical Congress is being held for the last 50 years has, I am told, initiated many programmes for the promotion of mathematics in developing countries. I wish them great success in such initiatives. I am also happy that mathematicians from India have been contributing to the work of the IMU and for hosting this Conference.
I congratulate all those who have extended support to the Conference. The Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India in particular have made this event - the ICM - possible. I understand that many individuals and corporate entities have also extended generous support. My congratulations go also to the University of Hyderabad, its Vice Chancellor and its Mathematics Faculty in particular, for their role in the organisation of this event.
I extend a warm welcome to all the delegates who have assembled here. To the foreign delegates who have come here, I extend a cordial welcome to India. Many of you, I hope, will find time to savour the rich cultural heritage of our country. The organisers have planned some programmes that would give you glimpses of our country's rich cultural heritage. One interesting event is where Viswanathan Anand, the current World Chess Champion is going to play simultaneously against 40 mathematicians. Chess is a game of movements and strategy. It will now be facing the combined calculated moves of mathematics. I wish you all good luck in this challenge!
In conclusion, I wish you all a very fruitful meeting professionally. This is a great opportunity for the mathematical community to interact. I once again wish the Congress great success.
Thank You. Jai Hind!
ad/lv/dk/kol/15:23 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Presidents Secretariat
President's Greetings on the Occasion of ONAM
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her message on the occasion of Onam, which is being celebrated tomorrow, has said: -
"On the joyous occasion of Onam, I offer my heartiest greetings to all my fellow citizens and especially to the people of Kerala and wish them all prosperity and happiness.
May this festival bring to all of them, the blessings of peace and harmony".
ad/lv/dk/kol/15:23 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Prime Minister's Office
PM GREETS THE NATION ON ONAM
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation especially the people from Kerala, on the joyous occasion of Onam.
In a message, Dr. Singh said that Onam heralds the beginning of the harvest season and reaffirms the secular traditions of the people. The festival is an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of unity and brotherhood and to renew the commitment to an egalitarian society.
May the festival bring joy, peace and prosperity to all, the Prime Minister added.
ad/dk/kol/15:23 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Home Affairs
Suspension of Operations Agreements with KNO and UPF Extended by 45 Days
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
Tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreements between the Government of India, Government of Manipur and two umbrella organizations namely Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United people's Front (UPF) which were signed on 22nd August, 2008, have been extended for a further period of 45 days with effect from today. It has been agreed that all arms & ammunition shall be kept in double lock by 20th September, 2010 either in the Camp Armoury or with the nominated Police/SFs. A decision on further extension of the SoO would be taken after review of the progress made in this regard. Talks will commence after all the cadres shift to the designated camps and weapons kept in double lock.
ok/dk/kol/15:24 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President Greets People on Onam
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the joyous and auspicious occasion of Onam. In his meesage, he has said that the festival of Onam celebrates the onset of the harvest season and the mood of rejoicing is vividly captured in the colourful festivities transcending all barriers.
Following is the text of the Vice President's message :-
"I greet the people of our country on the joyous and auspicious occasion of Onam.
The festival of Onam celebrates the onset of the harvest season and the mood of rejoicing is vividly captured in the colourful festivities transcending all barriers.
May the festival usher in peace, prosperity and happiness in the society and contribute towards the nation's progress."
sk/rs/dk/kol/15:24 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Home Affairs
Suspension of Operations Agreements with KNO and UPF Extended by 45 Days
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
Tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreements between the Government of India, Government of Manipur and two umbrella organizations namely Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United people's Front (UPF) which were signed on 22nd August, 2008, have been extended for a further period of 45 days with effect from today. It has been agreed that all arms & ammunition shall be kept in double lock by 20th September, 2010 either in the Camp Armoury or with the nominated Police/SFs. A decision on further extension of the SoO would be taken after review of the progress made in this regard. Talks will commence after all the cadres shift to the designated camps and weapons kept in double lock.
ok/dk/kol/15:24 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's Remarks on the release of Shri Somnath Chatterjee's book 'Keeping the Faith'
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
"I am very pleased to be here today on the special occasion of the launch of Shri Somnath Chatterjee's book – 'Keeping the Faith'. It was on another special occasion nearly sixty years ago that a young boy received a scroll from Shri N.C. Chatterjee, Somnath Babu's father, declaring him to be a proud graduate of Hindu College, Amritsar. I have always cherished that moment in my life as I have cherished my friendship and association with Shri Chatterjee over many years.
In February last year, Shri Somnath Chatterjee presided over the 14th Lok Sabha on its last day. I could not be there in person to join my colleagues in paying my respects to Shri Chatterjee on account of the surgery I had undergone. My senior colleague, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, read out my remarks. So you will permit me to say in person to Shri Chatterjee what was read out on that occasion.
I quote "In transacting business in this Parliament, you set yourself as a role model. We strained your patience and at times even your conscience. There were unusual times in which you had to take a call between defending parliamentary propriety and heeding the demands of the organisation that you had spent a lifetime building. On all such occasions your sagacity prevailed. You stood like a rock to defend our best parliamentary traditions, and in doing so have raised the bar for those to follow…." Unquote.
It may be that Shri Chatterjee's finest hour in his long and distinguished political career was as the Speaker of Lok Sabha. But one should not forget his many achievements and record of public service over the four decades that he spent in active politics on the national scene as a parliamentarian, party leader and voice of principle.
His book, 'Keeping the Faith', is a very important contribution to our political history as witnessed from one side of the political spectrum. I wish that more of our parliamentarians would similarly reflect on our association with the great events and personalities that have shaped modern India.
Shri Chatterjee and I had differing views on various issues and he refers to this in his book. But these differences in political ideology never came in the way of the close and fruitful personal association I have always had with him.
The fact that the heat of debate in Parliament is often matched by the warmth of personal relationships among leaders cutting across party lines is a real strength of Indian democracy. Many a time I have turned to Shri Chatterjee to benefit from his vast experience, political acumen and sage counsel.
The enormous diversity of interests and opinions that have to be accommodated in tackling the problems of our country makes governance a highly complicated and challenging task. If we are to rise above the natural orthodoxy of government functioning, then we should not shy away from a constructive debate of different points of view. If we are to think big – and we must think big about the future of our country- and if we are to think boldly about the challenges and opportunities before us, we cannot do so by ignoring contrary opinions. Certainly, the nation must have a way to resolve creative tensions in the development process and move ahead.
I would submit to this august gathering that the Indian State has shown the capacity and resilience to overcome trials and tribulations and even rise above them. We have withstood serious challenges on the economic and security front and even emerged stronger afterwards. The reason we are able to do so is, I believe, our vigorous and functioning democracy. The solutions to the problems we face are not beyond the creativity and imagination of our people.
One of the issues that faces the Indian polity is how to make the functioning of Parliament more effective and meaningful. The book explores some of these issues and also enumerates the many initiatives Shri Chatterjee took during his tenure as Speaker. There was a marked increase in inter-parliamentary contacts, the parliamentary committee system was strengthened, a Lok Sabha TV channel was started and greater transparency was introduced by enhancing the citizen's right to information.
Some days ago at a function in Parliament, I had said that ultimately it is the calibre of its Members that breathes life and vitality into Parliament. I read with interest the anecdotes Shri Chatterjee relates in his book about towering parliamentarians like Professor Hiren Mukherjee and Shri Jyotirmoy Basu. I hope that younger parliamentarians will be inspired by the oratory, character and conduct of these formidable personalities, which include the author and parliamentarian we honour today, Shri Somnath Chatterjee.
In conclusion, I wish to commend the book to readers to understand a man of extraordinary talent and integrity, who believes in keeping the faith in the fundamental values that have made our republic great, who is deeply committed to preserving the institutions of our republic and who has risen above his party and his ideology to do what he believes is right. May his tribe increase."
ad/dk/kol/15:25 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Prime Minister Inaugurates MSME Udyami Helpline
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
Udyami Helpline, the Call Centre of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, at a function held here today. Present on the occasion were Minister of State Independent charge of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shri Dinsha Patel, Secretary (MSME) Shri Dinesh Rai, senior officers of the Ministry and related organisations and representatives of MSME Associations. The Call Centre will satisfy the long felt need of a single point facility for MSMEs for a wide spectrum information and accessibility of Banks and other MSME-related organisations.
While inaugurating the helpline, the Prime Minister emphasized that the MSMEs had a vital role in the dispersal of industries and generation of employment opportunities. He mentioned that first generation entrepreneurs faced hurdles in credit availability, technology and marketing. Government support in these areas can ameliorate their viability problems to a large extent. He congratulated the Ministry of MSME on launching the Udyami Helpline and felt that this initiative would facilitate in expanding the outreach of support provided under the various schemes and programmes of the Government.
The Udyami Helpline 1800-180-6763 – a toll-free number, will provide information on a wide range of subjects including guidance on how to set up an enterprise, access loans from banks, project profiles and the various schemes being implemented by the Government for the promotion of MSMEs. The Helpline will also facilitate lodging of complaints with various agencies of Central and State Governments dealing with MSMEs, including banks. This facility will be available both in Hindi and English between 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. on all 365 days including Sundays and holidays.
The Udyami Helpline will improve public access to the Government, particularly from the rural and remote areas of the country, and make the Government more responsive to the public needs. The feedback received from the Udyami Helpline will also facilitate in creation of an effective data base and better understanding of the needs of the sector. This will enable a wider outreach and more effective implementation of Government schemes.
rts/dk/kol/15:25 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's Remarks on the release of Shri Somnath Chatterjee's book 'Keeping the Faith'
New Delhi: August 23, 2010.
"I am very pleased to be here today on the special occasion of the launch of Shri Somnath Chatterjee's book – 'Keeping the Faith'. It was on another special occasion nearly sixty years ago that a young boy received a scroll from Shri N.C. Chatterjee, Somnath Babu's father, declaring him to be a proud graduate of Hindu College, Amritsar. I have always cherished that moment in my life as I have cherished my friendship and association with Shri Chatterjee over many years.
In February last year, Shri Somnath Chatterjee presided over the 14th Lok Sabha on its last day. I could not be there in person to join my colleagues in paying my respects to Shri Chatterjee on account of the surgery I had undergone. My senior colleague, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, read out my remarks. So you will permit me to say in person to Shri Chatterjee what was read out on that occasion.
I quote "In transacting business in this Parliament, you set yourself as a role model. We strained your patience and at times even your conscience. There were unusual times in which you had to take a call between defending parliamentary propriety and heeding the demands of the organisation that you had spent a lifetime building. On all such occasions your sagacity prevailed. You stood like a rock to defend our best parliamentary traditions, and in doing so have raised the bar for those to follow…." Unquote.
It may be that Shri Chatterjee's finest hour in his long and distinguished political career was as the Speaker of Lok Sabha. But one should not forget his many achievements and record of public service over the four decades that he spent in active politics on the national scene as a parliamentarian, party leader and voice of principle.
His book, 'Keeping the Faith', is a very important contribution to our political history as witnessed from one side of the political spectrum. I wish that more of our parliamentarians would similarly reflect on our association with the great events and personalities that have shaped modern India.
Shri Chatterjee and I had differing views on various issues and he refers to this in his book. But these differences in political ideology never came in the way of the close and fruitful personal association I have always had with him.
The fact that the heat of debate in Parliament is often matched by the warmth of personal relationships among leaders cutting across party lines is a real strength of Indian democracy. Many a time I have turned to Shri Chatterjee to benefit from his vast experience, political acumen and sage counsel.
The enormous diversity of interests and opinions that have to be accommodated in tackling the problems of our country makes governance a highly complicated and challenging task. If we are to rise above the natural orthodoxy of government functioning, then we should not shy away from a constructive debate of different points of view. If we are to think big – and we must think big about the future of our country- and if we are to think boldly about the challenges and opportunities before us, we cannot do so by ignoring contrary opinions. Certainly, the nation must have a way to resolve creative tensions in the development process and move ahead.
I would submit to this august gathering that the Indian State has shown the capacity and resilience to overcome trials and tribulations and even rise above them. We have withstood serious challenges on the economic and security front and even emerged stronger afterwards. The reason we are able to do so is, I believe, our vigorous and functioning democracy. The solutions to the problems we face are not beyond the creativity and imagination of our people.
One of the issues that faces the Indian polity is how to make the functioning of Parliament more effective and meaningful. The book explores some of these issues and also enumerates the many initiatives Shri Chatterjee took during his tenure as Speaker. There was a marked increase in inter-parliamentary contacts, the parliamentary committee system was strengthened, a Lok Sabha TV channel was started and greater transparency was introduced by enhancing the citizen's right to information.
Some days ago at a function in Parliament, I had said that ultimately it is the calibre of its Members that breathes life and vitality into Parliament. I read with interest the anecdotes Shri Chatterjee relates in his book about towering parliamentarians like Professor Hiren Mukherjee and Shri Jyotirmoy Basu. I hope that younger parliamentarians will be inspired by the oratory, character and conduct of these formidable personalities, which include the author and parliamentarian we honour today, Shri Somnath Chatterjee.
In conclusion, I wish to commend the book to readers to understand a man of extraordinary talent and integrity, who believes in keeping the faith in the fundamental values that have made our republic great, who is deeply committed to preserving the institutions of our republic and who has risen above his party and his ideology to do what he believes is right. May his tribe increase."
ad/dk/kol/15:25 hrs.
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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